Pictured: Illinois Watch Company Factory with Dial Department Highlighted, c.1880. In January 1892, the Springfield Enameling Company began operations out of the existing dial department at the Illinois Watch Company factory. The new company, managed by George Mayer, was offered the opportunity to use the factory buildings and machinery to manufacture enamel watch dials. While the rationale behind this move is not quite clear, it provided a viable way to produce and sell dials to other companies without being directly associated with the Illinois Watch Company name. Mayer ambitiously visited the large watch companies across the country to form partnerships for dial supply and distribution. At the time, fancy dials were becoming very popular, and the Springfield Enabling Company desired to capitalize on the trend. Daily Illinois State JournalMonday, Jan 18, 1892Springfield, ILPage:5 Shortly after production commenced, the group discovered that sewer gas in the building was tarnishing the copper on the dials, causing the solder to lose effectiveness... Continue Reading

by Nathan Moore, 14 hours ago

Pictured: William Sylvester Eaton, c.1924. William Sylvester Eaton was a pivotal figure in the American watch industry. After spending his childhood in Waltham, Massachusetts, Eaton moved to Sag Harbor, New York in the 1880s to accept a position at the Fahys Watch Case factory. Mr. Eaton’s unparalleled artistic and engraving skills earned him the position of superintendent of the engraving department at the growing case company. During his time as superintendent, Eaton patented a new method of machine-engraving with layered patterned plates. Eaton also developed a machine that was capable of engraving 54 watch cases at a time, dramatically improving the production efficiency at the factory.  In 1892, Eaton started the Eaton Dial Manufacturing Company while still serving as superintendent at the Fahys factory... Continue Reading

by Nathan Moore, 1 day ago

Pictured: The Eaton Dial Factory (2nd Floor of the Hampton Mills Building), c.1890s In March 1892, The Eaton Dial Manufacturing Company was organized with a capital stock of $7,000 at Sag Harbor, New York to manufacture watch, clock, and thermometer dials. William S. Eaton, George C. Dierman, George C... Continue Reading

by Nathan Moore, 2 days ago